United to the end, Teamster members have voted to approve our new contract at Rhode Island Hospital by a 97 percent margin. Members voted 562 Yes to 17 No to ratify a contract that delivers job security and $19 million in wages and benefits.

This contract victory belongs to the members who united for a fair contract. We did more than win a better contract. We’ve built a stronger union and forged new alliances with community groups, other unions and public allies. We have found our voice and we will keep using it to speak out for good jobs and quality care.

The Union Bargaining Committee has reached a tentative agreement on a 4-year contract that delivers $19 million in improvements for Teamster members at Rhode Island Hospital.

The latest contract bulletin summarizes some of the highlights of the proposed agreement. Members won all of these improvements and more because they stayed informed, involved and united.

Every Teamster at Rhode Island Hospital has the right to vote on the contract and to review all of the contract changes before they vote.

Local 251 will hold four contract briefings and contract votes on Saturday, March 28 at 8 a.m., noon, 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Voting will be held at the Union Hall on 121 Brightridge Avenue in East Providence.

During the contract briefings we will review all of the contract changes and answer your questions. Voting will be held at the conclusion of each contract briefing. Members must attend a contract briefing to vote.

We urge you and every member at the Hospital to attend the important contract briefings, to get answers to your questions, and to vote.

Contract highlights include:

Wage Increases: The contract delivers $1.80 in wage increases and an increase in the shift differential. Full-time employees will get a $225 bonus upon contract ratification; part-time employees will get a $110 bonus.

Retirement Security: For the first time, your retirement will be guaranteed in the contract and protected from any cuts or changes. Lifespan will increase the money it puts into your Core Retirement Plan as your wages increase.

Job Security: All employees who have three years of seniority cannot be laid off. Going forward, every employee will be protected from layoffs when they reach five years of seniority.

Subcontracting Protection: If you have to bump into a new position because of subcontracting, your pay rate will be protected.

Seniority Rights Under Epic: Members will retain all of their contract rights during the Epic implementation, including bumping rights and No Layoff protections.

No Givebacks. In a sharp break with the past, the proposed contract makes no givebacks. We protected healthcare, longevity pay, double overtime, our rights under Epic and more.

Contract Delivers Job Security, Wage Increases, & No Givebacks

March 20, 2015: Teamster members at Rhode Island Hospital have mobilized and united for a fair contract. Now, our unity has paid off.

Tonight, the Union Bargaining Committee reached a tentative agreement with Lifespan on a four-year contract that will deliver $19 million in improved wages and benefits to Teamsters at Lifespan.

In a sharp break with the past, the proposed contract includes no concessions or givebacks.

The tentative agreement was reached late Friday night after Lifespan negotiators gave in and agreed to major changes on pay increases, job security, and pay protection.

The contract includes $1.80 in wage increases over the life of the contract and an increase in the shift differential. Full-time employees will get a $225 bonus upon contract ratification; part-time employees will get a $110 bonus.

The new contract includes strong No Layoffs protections. All employees who have three years of seniority cannot be laid off. Going forward, all employees will be covered by the No Layoffs clause when they reach five years of seniority.

We also won groundbreaking language that protects your pay if your job is subcontracted and you have to bump to a new position.

Members at Rhode Island Hospital have won these gains and more by mobilizing and sticking together in a grassroots campaign for a fair contract.

Together, we have built a stronger, more democratic, more transparent and more united union. We have forged new alliances with the community. We have found our voice and we will continue to speak out for good jobs and quality care.

The proposed contract will be put to a vote of all Teamsters at Rhode Island Hospital. The date and times of the contract ratification vote will be announced soon. Stay tuned.

Enforcing Our Rights: Every Local 251 members now has the right to elect their shop steward. Stewards new and old have turned out for a series of workshops to share strategies for enforcing our contracts and defending our members.

The Fall 2014 issue of the Local 251 report is in the mail to members.

Check out the report to read updates on the Rhode Island Hospital contract campaign and organizing victories at Woonsocket Housing Authority, Airgas, Petro, First Student, Fall River DPW, Cardi Ready Mix, PJ Keating, Twin River Casino, UPS and more. The Report includes reports on Local 251 events and info on applying for a Local 251 Scholarship award.

The wage increases covers First Student drivers in three yards where the company had a driver shortage. Next up, First Student drivers in Providence are headed to the bargaining table. And next year, the national First Student contract will be negotiated.